Heroic Hercules
Border Collies Keep Airfield Safe from Wildlife
By Camp Bow Wow Staff
It’snot a bird, it’s not a plane … it’s a border collie! That energetic bundle of fur bounding down the airfield at the West Virginia International Yeager Airport would be Hercules (or his understudy, Ned). The two precious pups serve a very important mission at the regional airport located in the heart of the mountains near Charleston, W.Va. They keep the area clear of wildlife, and especially birds, which can create a dangerous, even life-threatening situation.
About 19,000 strikes involving planes and wildlife occurred at U.S. airports in 2023, of which 95% involved birds, according to a Federal Aviation Administration database. From 1988 to 2023, wildlife collisions in the U.S. killed 76 people and destroyed 126 aircraft. And Yeager Airport, which serves 500,000 people a year, has not been unaffected.
“We are surrounded by mountains and a river below us, so we get a ton of wildlife,” said wildlife specialist Chris Keyser who handles Hercules and Ned for the airport. “Years ago, there was a deer crossing the runway that hit a plane and broke a prop off.” Even a stray turtle turns into a FOG (foreign object debris) if it’s in the path of a plane. “A turtle recently took down an aircraft at another airport when a pilot tried to dodge it,” Chris reported.
Yeager airport management brought in Hercules in 2018 to ameliorate problems of animals meeting machine without harm to people, fur or fowl. The pup had spent 18 months training to herd geese and sheep at North Carolina-based Flyaway Geese, an organization that teaches border collies to address wildlife problems. Chris, an avid outdoorsman who had worked at the airport for years, was the perfect choice to handle Hercules. Ned joined the pack two years ago when Hercules’ stride slowed. Hercules and Ned “have made about a 70% difference with bird strikes at the airport,” Chris reported.
Border Collies are ideally situated for bird herding duties because they can withstand heat and cold. “They are one of the smartest dogs you could ever have,” Chris said. “Every time our control tower
hollers down (with a problem sighting), they know the voices and go to barking.”
Chris uses his voice and hand signals to direct the energetic canines. Sometimes he’ll need them to run and flush out the interlopers. Other times, he’ll signal the pups to lie down on the grass to discourage stubborn fowl from sticking around – especially after a rain, when the abundant worms draw birds to what Chris calls “buffet day.” Starlings are especially dangerous around Yeager Airport, as they fly in groups as large as 1000 at a time. “That’s why it’s important we do the job we do to keep passengers safe,” he said.
Discouraging wildlife from taking up residence on the runway is just one of the dogs’ duties. Hercules and Ned also prowl the terminal, offering hugs, paw shakes and slurpy kisses to cheer and calm passengers. The pups serve as ambassadors of the airport. Hercules has his own Instagram and TikTok accounts and regularly hosts groups of schoolchildren. The airport has even published a children’s book, A New Friend, the Adventures of Hercules, that depicts the pup’s day interacting with a child’s leftbehind stuffed tiger. Ned and Hercules have a special “office” for their bowls and beds, complete with their own bathtub and blow dryer. They feel they are appreciated and can’t wait to go out and work with him, Chris noted.
“We hope we are setting a good goal for other airports with the efforts we have made to keep more people safer on this world,” Chris said.
Craft Cocktails
Upscale Establishment in Stone Oak Launches with Speakeasy Feel
By Amy Morgan
Hush … Normally you’d want to keep a secret under wraps, but the opening of the newest establishment in Stone Oak is too good not to share. The Hush Room, located at 19160 Stone Oak Parkway just between the Valvoline and the Five Star Cleaners in the heart of Stone Oak, opened Aug. 20, offering a hot spot for highend craft cocktails and an adult atmosphere long lacking in the neighborhood. The upscale lounge is the aspiration of Diamond Decks owner Donnie Ferguson, who partnered with longtime friends Erik Duron and Brad Vehrs to reimagine the underutilized space that formerly housed the Back Porch and Social House bars. The Hush Room will be open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week.
“This is my backyard,” Donnie said. “We wanted people to be able to stay in Stone Oak rather than feel like they have to go to the Pearl or the Rim.”
“Opening The Hush Room is a dream come true,” Brad enthused. “We’ve meticulously overseen the details to make sure everything is done perfectly.”
Those who might have remembered previous occupants will be delighted at how the trio has completely transformed the space. The Hush Room offers a speakeasy theme – although you don’t need a password to enter. But you’d miss out on the secrets poured nightly if you don’t ask for specialty cocktail Elysium, a split base of Blanco tequila and Licor 43 with a touch of Pisco (a
Peruvian brandy), citrus, bitters, and egg white topped with bubbles, which offers “a unique effervescent bliss,” Erik said. Leather chairs and banquettes cluster on a warm brown metallic epoxy floor dusted with shades of gold and copper. Large windows along two walls provide enough daylight to make the area inviting without being bright. The short hall to the restroom shelters behind floor-to-ceiling gold velvet curtains. A DJ booth linked to a customer-select jukebox and the 18-foot bar are both covered with acoustic soundboard that not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also lowers noise. House music will be DJ-curated live on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays with a vibe similar to what’s played on Sirius XM Chill or BPM stations.
(L-R) Business partners, Brad Vehrs, Donnie Ferguson and Erik Duron celebrate the opening of their new upscale lounge, The Hush Room.
“This is not a club. We have a more intimate atmosphere,” Donnie said. “We want people to be able to come here and enjoy a conversation with their friends.” And although there’s not an official dance floor, there’s room to get up and groove if the spirit takes you.
Another secret, if the lot up front is full (or you miss the turn-in), you can access the Hush Room via a lighted staircase from a parking lot on Huebner Road that leads directly to the all-new back patio. Fifteen hundred square feet of outdoor seating, 800 of it under a decorative aluminum cover, boasts a 22-foot bar, four televisions, four large fans and plenty of room for those who prefer to enjoy their cocktails alfresco – perhaps with a cigar. The owners plan to offer special events like grilled steaks or cigar rolling once the weather cools slightly. And there’s another secret bar with a television in the back corner behind a stucco and stone veneer wall, perfect for a quick look at a game score or to grab a glass of bubbles or a craft beer if the custom cocktail line is crowded.
Dust off your Louboutins, ladies, and up your game. The Hush Room does not have a beachy vibe – flip flops not allowed. It’s Stone Oak’s place to see and be seen –whether you are planning a special date night or meeting a group of friends on the town. Brad and Erik have each managed and run multiple successful bars and clubs for years. Erik was the general manager at the Social House from 2015-2018, so he’s returning as an owner to a place with which he’s familiar. They’ve been busy dreaming up specialty cocktails handcrafted to order with fresh juices, flavored honeys and top-shelf spirits. Think aged whiskeys, single malt scotch and the latest martini recipes. An upscale wine list and a few beer selections will round out beverage offerings updated seasonally.
And keep your eyes open across Stone Oak Parkway. The partners will open the Roxbury sports bar in the area that was once the Cross-Eyed Seagull later this month, continuing to elevate and improve social options in Stone Oak.
19160 Stone Oak Parkway Open 4pm - 2am everyday
Community Calendar
Presented by
Frost
Nights at the Botanical Gardens – Select Wednesdays through September, 6-9 p.m. Enjoy extended hours, savor delicious food and beverages, explore a vibrant vendor market, and hear captivating live entertainment, all amidst the mesmerizing beauty of the Garden during the summer season. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place 78209; www.sabot.org/gardennights.
Jazz TX Breaks a Leg – Wednesday, Sept. 10 - Friday, Sept. 12, times vary. The magic of Broadway with a Jazz twist – the show reimagines iconic tunes from beloved musicals. Jazz TX, 313 Pearl Parkway 78215; info@jazztx.com
Ronald Reagan High School Theatre presents Amadeus Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 11-13, 7 p.m. The play explores the rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and fellow composer Antonio Salieri. Gloria Robinson Auditorium, Ronald Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan 78258; www.reaganstage.org
Concerts at Stable Hall – Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m. William Clark Green’s Ringling Road 10-year anniversary tour highlights the Texas-born singersongwriter. Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway 78215; www.stablehall.com
Battle of Salado Creek – Friday, Sept. 13, 13.1, 10 miles, 5 miles, 5K, staggered starts 5:30-6:45 p.m. Second of the Alamo Beer Series Challenge. LBJ Park, 10700 Nacogdoches Road 78217; www.scallywompus.com
Not Dead Yet! - John Cleese and TheHolyGrail at 50 – Thursday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m. Special screening of the cult classic followed by a Q&A with John Cleese. Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St. 78205; www.majesticempire.com/events.
The Fab Four: Beatles’ “Help!” and the Hits – Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. Beatles tribute celebrating the music of their second film and greatest hits presented by the Emmy Winning Fab Four. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, HEB Performance Hall, 100 Auditorium Circle 78205; www.tobincenter.org.
Reagan Rattler Cheer Clinic – Saturday, Sept. 20, 8 a.m. – noon. Students K-9 join the Reagan High School cheer teams to tumble, jump, dance and cheer, capped off by a performance at the RHS varsity football game Sept. 27. Ronald Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan 78258; jreddi1@neisd.net.
Free concert performed by School of Rock kids’ bands –Saturday, Sept. 20, Sunday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Students age 4-18 take the stage at the Alzafar Shrine Temple’s Outdoor Pavilion for two days of rock and fun. Alzafar Shrine Temple, 901 N. Loop 1604 W. 78232; www.sanantonio.schoolofrock.com.
Zoo Boo! – Saturday, Sept. 20 - Friday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Wear your costume to this fun, non-scary Halloween event for the entire family. Free trick or treating the last hour daily. San Antonio Zoo, 3903 N. St. Mary's St. 78212; www.sazoo.org
Cirque du Soleil OVO – Thursday, Sept. 25-Sunday, Sept. 28, times vary. All-new production celebrates nature’s beauty with signature awe-inspiring performances. Frost Bank Center, 1 Frost Bank Center Drive 78219; www.frostbankcenter.com.
42nd annual Jazz’SAlive festival – Friday, Sept. 26, 4-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Jazz talent performs at Civic Park at Hemisphere. VIP experiences available. 630 E. Nueva St. 78205; www.saparks.org
Concert presented by School of Rock adult bands – Friday, Sept. 26, Saturday, Sept. 27, 8 p.m.-midnight. Enjoy music presented by the adult bands and learn how to rock the stage. Fitzgerald’s, 437 McCarty Road, Unit 101 78216; www.sanantonio.schoolofrock.com
Chosen Women’s Event – Friday, Sept. 26, 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Enjoy powerful worship, inspirational messages, marketplace, and food trucks. Summit Church, 2575 Summit Church Road 78259; www.chosensa.com.
Red Riding Hood – Saturday, Sept. 27 - Sunday, Oct. 12, times vary. Magik Theatre presents a fast and funny live theater retelling of the classic fairy tale. The Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St. 78205; www.magiktheatre.org
18th Annual SNIPSA Race for the Rescues – Saturday, Sept. 27, 8 a.m. 5K gathers dog lovers to raise funds for San Antonio’s homeless pets. Alamo Heights Swimming Pool, 250 Viesca St. 78209; www.snipsa.org.
16th Annual Big Texas Rally for Recovery & 5K – Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. The Big Texas Rally for Recovery San Antonio increases awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use. Children’s activities, entertainment, live music, dancers, food. Los Patios, 2015 NE Loop 410 78217; www.bigtexasrallyforrecovery.org
By Amy Morgan
IConvenient Care
7to7 Dental & Orthodontics - Ready
When You Are
t happened! Summer slipped away, and now we’re back in the swing of school and fall activities. If your vacation schedule kept you from fitting in your family’s dental checkups, it’s not too late. 7to7Dental & Orthodontics offers appointments from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday for dentistry for the whole family and emergencies. In May, the practice opened the doors to its tenth office right in the heart of Spring Branch just adjacent to Walmart, following on the heels of its ninth office on TPC across from the JW Marriott resort. Both locations offer more flexibility to serve patients in the Far North San Antonio area.
“People are super excited they have a dentist out here who has availability and convenience – we saw several families at the same time that first month we opened,” said Spring Branch Office Manager Sierra Anderson, R.D.A.
Like the Spring Branch location, the office in the heart of Stone Oak includes 12 patient rooms so families can schedule dental exams and cleanings for everyone simultaneously. Each is stocked with state-of-the art technology, on-site X-ray equipment, and television screens in the ceiling to keep patients entertained while the professionals are taking care of them.
7to7 Dental’s co-owners Justin Coke and Tiffany Winburn, D.M.D., select each location to serve the needs of the many families living in or moving to these growing areas.
“We want to make things more convenient, and we believe families will find our services helpful,” said Director of Marketing Travis DeZuba. Insured patients pay nothing out of pocket for Brighter Whiter cleanings and exams for adults, cleanings and exams for children, or second opinion evaluations. And if you don’t have insurance, 7to7 Dental offers a membership plan to make dental care affordable. Unlike traditional insurance that expires on the calendar year, 7to7 Dental’s in-house plan allows patients to begin anytime, so there’s no waiting or delay. Patients can even upgrade midplan if they need to cover an emergency or add orthodontia.
As an added incentive to schedule appointments in a timely manner, 7to7 Dental provides trays and a free tube of whitening gel to patients with each cleaning.
Parents and siblings can even have their own biannual teeth cleanings during another family’s orthodontia appointment without missing work or school, making 7to7 Dental a one-stop solution for family dental care.
“We consider it an honor to position our company so we are there when our patients need us,” said Dr. Winburn.
7to7 Dental is committed to being a good neighbor, Travis added. Last month the practice once again provided backpacks and school supplies to students at four Title One elementary schools near their offices.
Concern for their patients and community has been a hallmark of 7to7 Dental since they opened the doors of their first office 18 years ago. The locally owned and operated practice has since grown to number 350 team members. Don’t put off your dental care any longer. Come see why 7to7 Dental is a better kind of practice for the whole family.
From Port to Present: The Magic of Holiday Cruising
By Dionne Roberts
Holiday cruises have a certain magic you can’t quite capture on land — part glittering celebration, part grand adventure. Think twinkling lights strung across sun-drenched decks, gourmet holiday feasts where you never have to lift a finger, and the bliss of unpacking just once while the world’s most festive ports come to you.
The best part? Instead of shoveling snow or sitting in airport lounges, you’re gliding toward your next destination with a champagne flute in hand, warm sea breezes mingling with the scent of gingerbread from the ship’s bakeshop. Each day brings a new postcard-perfect harbor, all dressed up for the season.
Here are three unforgettable holiday cruise experiences that will have you singing carols from the balcony of your stateroom:
• San Juan, Puerto Rico glows with both tropical warmth and centuries-old tradition. The cobblestone streets of Old San Juan sparkle with holiday lights, while salsa rhythms and parranda carols spill out from lively plazas. Sip coquito — Puerto Rico’s creamy coconut holiday drink — and browse artisan markets for handwoven crafts.
• Barcelona, Spain turns its famous boulevards into winter wonderlands. The Fira de Santa Llúcia market, dating back to 1786, bursts with nativity figurines, handmade ornaments, and the sweet scent of turrón. Stroll beneath illuminated Gothic spires before returning to your ship for a multicourse holiday dinner under the stars.
• Honolulu, Hawaii blends holiday cheer with aloha spirit. The Honolulu City Lights festival dazzles with enormous Christmas displays and a towering tree, while hula performances and
Hawaiian music keep the celebration going. Trade snow for sand as you toast the season with a mai tai on Waikīkī Beach.
Whether you choose the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, or the South Pacific, a holiday cruise offers the perfect blend of festivity and freedom. No cooking, no cleaning, no logistics — just the joy of the season, framed by ocean horizons.
This year, let the world’s most beautiful coastlines be your holiday backdrop. After all, the best way to deck the halls might just be on the decks themselves.
Dionne Roberts, MCC, VTA Foster Perry Travel 888-878-5863 (888-TRVLTME) www.fosterperrytravel.com
Dancing Dynamo
JHS
Senior
Student “Shores Up” Fine Arts Programs
By Amy Morgan
Lights, camera, action. Johnson High School senior Peyton Shore is never happier than when the music starts. In her second year as Lieutenant Colonel for the Legacies Varsity Dancers, Peyton will continue her role working behind the scenes to ensure the team runs smoothly. She looks forward to their return to the national dance stage in Orlando this February. Last year the JHS team earned top honors in the competition, she reported. Peyton’s also been part of One Singular Sensation for the past three years, an event she describes as a “giant dance showoff.” Spirit groups from each of the NEISD schools perform their competition routines in front of judges, other squads, parents and the public each spring.
Music holds an important place in Peyton’s heart. In addition to dance, she’s also part of the JHS choral program. She was selected for the Encore show choir her senior year, after singing in varsity Cantare. As a soprano one, Peyton will be hitting the group’s highest notes. “Choir suits me so well,” she said, adding that she always looks forward to the concert. “The directors are amazing. Ms. Brown fosters a safe environment for anyone in choir. She’s always so welcoming for students to come into her office and talk.”
Whether dance or choir, Peyton’s availed herself of many of the fine arts opportunities that represent the breadth and depth of NEISD programs. It’s no coincidence this talented young woman has taken part in all the district has to offer — her mother, Julie Shore, serves as Executive Director of Fine Arts for NEISD.
“I love having a mom who works in Northeast,” Peyton enthused. “She is such a role model and inspiration to be the best version of myself.”
Part of her mother’s position is to attend NEISD football games and observe the band and dancers. This perk means Julie can watch Peyton perform right from the field. She also is able to take Peyton as her plus one to district Fine Arts events, a mother-daughter experience they both look forward to.
It was Julie who enrolled Peyton in her first dance class at the age of two. In addition to competing with the Earle Cobb Dance Studio’s Dazzlers team, Peyton assists with the annual dance camp featuring New York City choreographer Sarah Fazio. Peyton also has helped with children’s choir and dance at Community Bible Church. This summer she was able to fit serving as a counselor for pre-teens at CBC’s Camp Tejas around her dance schedule for the first time. She teaches elementary Sunday School classes at CBC, where, no surprise, her favorite part is dancing and singing during worship.
The Shore duo have volunteered together since Peyton was in seventh grade through the National Charity League. Peyton especially enjoyed hosting a carnival complete with games and prizes for residents at Havens at the Laurels.
She counts AP Biology with Mr. V as her favorite class at JHS, in part because she hopes to become a pediatrician. She considers him, “the perfect teacher,” and was inspired by his room decorations of origami spirals representing DNA that trail from the ceiling.
Peyton hopes to attend either the University of Texas or Texas Christian University and plans to try out for the pom squad at whichever school is fortunate enough to enroll this talented and enthusiastic student.
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